Artwork
a) Poilu and Nurse (recto); b) Sketch for the Poilu (verso)
a) Poilu and Nurse (recto); b) Sketch for the Poilu (verso) is an ink drawing by Jean-Louis Forain. It dates from 1916 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
The work is held at the National Gallery of Art, Washington, which may have more information about the artist's intentions.
The painting is titled "Poilu and Nurse" on one side and "Sketch for the Poilu" on the other.
It was created by Jean-Louis Forain around 1914-1919.
The artist used brush and ink on wove paper to create the work.
Forain's use of brown and black ink suggests a somber tone.
The work is held at the National Gallery of Art, Washington, which may have more information about the artist's intentions.
You can learn more about the artist's style by looking up Forain, Jean-Louis.
Overview
This double-sided drawing, created by Jean-Louis Forain around 1914-1919, features a scene of a soldier and a nurse on one side and a sketch of the soldier alone on the other. The work is executed in brush and ink on wove paper.
Subject & Meaning
The recto depicts an intimate moment between a 'poilu,' a French infantryman, and a nurse, while the verso shows a preparatory sketch of the soldier. The somber tone, achieved through the use of brown and black ink, may reflect the gravity of the wartime context.
Technique & Style
Forain's use of brush and ink on wove paper showcases his skill in capturing expressive scenes with a limited color palette. The contrast between the detailed recto and the sketchy verso highlights the artist's working process.
History & Provenance
The drawing is now held at the National Gallery of Art, Washington, which may provide further insight into the artist's intentions and the work's history.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jean-Louis Forain (French pronunciation: ; 23 October 1852 – 11 July 1931) was a French Impressionist painter and printmaker, working in media including oils, watercolour, pastel, etching and lithograph.
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